10 trade federations merge to form unified body

LAHORE : In a historic move, ten of Pakistan’s leading trade federations, including Pakistan Workers Federation, Muttahida Labour Federation, Sindh Labour Federation, and seven others, have merged to form a unified body – ‘Pakistan United Workers Federation (PUWF).

This landmark unification took place at the Founding Convention held at APWA Auditorium here on Saturday. With this merger, PUWF now stands as Pakistan's largest workers' representative organisation, boasting a membership of over one million workers from across the country. At the convention, the newly-formed federation’s general body unanimously elected a strong leadership team through a consensus-based process.

The following leaders were chosen to steer the federation towards a brighter future Chaudhary Saad Muhammad as General Secretary, Mukhtar Hussain Awan as President, Waqar Ahmed Memon as Chairman, Wali Muhammad Khan as Chief Organiser. The Founding Convention was graced by the presence of high-level international and national dignitaries, reflecting the importance of this unification for both Pakistan and the global labor movement.

Distinguished guests included Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of ITUC-Asia Pacific, Laxman Basnet, General Secretary of South Asian Regional Trade Union Council (SARTUC), Malik Tahir Javaid, President of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, Geir T Tonstol, ILO Country Director, Syeda Kulsume Hai, Director General of Labour Welfare, Punjab, Muhammad Naeem Ghous, Secretary of Labour, Punjab, Eugenio Mozzarelli, ISCOS Programme Manager, Immad Ashraf, Country Head of the American Solidarity Centre and many other important stakeholders.

The formation of PUWF represents a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s labor history. This merger is not just a formal consolidation, but a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the country’s trade union movement. PUWF will act as a united front, defending workers’ rights, promoting fair labour standards, and addressing the challenges posed by globalisation and changing work environments.

The federation is also poised to play a more assertive role on the international stage, forging alliances and ensuring that Pakistan’s labour voice is heard in global forums. This landmark event solidifies the PUWF as the driving force in the fight for labour rights and social justice in Pakistan, setting the stage for a new era of worker empowerment, advocacy, and representation.